Duff on Hospitality Law

Google recently updated its trademark policy, and although some believe the changes are cause for concern, citing increased costs per click, that may not be the case. The following aims to bring some clarity to the issue.

Google has consistently expanded its Google Ads policy in allowing trademark keyword bids and the use of trademarked terms in the text of advertisements. The tech giant has always expanded these policies by regions, and just last week, Japan was added to the mix.

Our friends (and former contributors) at Seattle-based BrandVerity have produced another detailed study on third parties’ use (and dare I say, abuse) of popular brand terms in paid search advertising. Many of you have experienced these abuses (and the associated frustration) yourselves. Now details about these abuses (and the supporting metrics) are in one comprehensive report. The report is available for download today at https://www.brandverity.com/state-of-branded-keywords-paid-search-q3-2014/

Keep BrandVerity and this report in mind next time you negotiate a distribution agreement or, once the agreement is finalized, you wish to keep your distribution channels honest.

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Greg Duff, EditorGreg Duff founded and chairs GSB’s national Hospitality, Travel & Tourism group. His practice largely focuses on operations-oriented matters faced by hospitality industry members, including sales and marketing, distribution and e-commerce, procurement and technology. Greg also serves as counsel and legal advisor to many of the hospitality industry’s associations and trade groups, including AH&LA, HFTP and HSMAI.